Health systems merger gets key state approval

A state Department of Health committee has approved the certificate of need application filed by Rochester General Health System and Unity Health System, a necessary step to merging the two area health organizations, Unity and RGHS officials said Thursday.

As previously reported, officials of both health systems had anticipated the Health Department’s Public Health and Health Planning Council would approve the application at its meeting Thursday. A council subcommittee gave the merger the go-ahead two weeks ago.

The RGHS-Unity merger would create a five-hospital system spanning four counties. The state’s Office of Mental Health and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the Federal Trade Commission also are reviewing the system’s merger applications.

RGHS and Unity officials have predicted the merger’s finalization by the end of August.